West Side Story (2021)

Set in 1957 New York, two street gangs (one Caucasian, one Puerto Rican) fight for territorial rights over their turf. Tension builds when an ex-gang member (Ansel Elgort) who is Polish and the sister (Rachel Zegler) of a Puetro Rican (David Alvarez) fall in love. Based on the Broadway musical with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (previously filmed in 1961) and directed by Steven Spielberg (JAWS). While there are many things to like about Spielberg's movie and I quite enjoyed it, bottom line: it's a pale imitation of the original. On the plus side, Bernstein's music is as gorgeous as ever and David Newman's orchestrations and Gustavo Dudamel's conducting do themselves proud. Rachel Zegler makes for an enchanting Maria (though she lacks Natalie Wood's innocence in the 1961 film) and Ariana DeBose whose fiery Anita equals Rita Moreno. Spielberg respects the original source material although some of his decisions are questionable like the Cool number which is drastically changed and the dancing minimalized. On the downside, the film is PC laundered and while I appreciate the attempt at inclusivity, it's all too obvious and sometime anachronistic. For example, the tomboy Anybodys (Iris Menas) of the original is now a proud and open transgender ..... in 1957??? Those gangs would have beat the crap out of him. Elgort is a wan Tony but so was Richard Beymer in 1961 so perhaps it's just the role. But Elgort is a weak singer and his rendition of the lovely Maria is flat while Jimmy Bryant (who dubbed Beymer) makes the song soar. Justin Peck's choreography pays homage to the great Jerome Robbins but again, his choreography can't touch Robbins'. The Dance At The Gym which was so thrilling in 1961 is bungled here. The character of Doc is replaced by Rita Moreno (who played Anita in the original) as Doc's widow and the part built up to a major supporting role and Spielberg gives her Somewhere to sing instead of Tony and Maria. Definitely worth seeing but it's just not the real thing. With Mike Faist, Jose Andres Rivera and Paloma Garcia Lee.